- Statehouse Report – 01/16/2026
The South Carolina Fraternal Order of Police remains committed to keeping law enforcement officers informed about legislative activity that affects our profession. This weekly Statehouse Report provides a clear, concise overview of key actions at the South Carolina Statehouse, including legislation we support, bills we are monitoring, and developments that may impact officer safety, due process, and the resources needed to effectively serve our communities. Through consistent engagement, the SCFOP continues to advocate for policies that strengthen law enforcement and protect those who wear the badge.
The 2026 legislative session marks the second year of the 126th South Carolina General Assembly. Bills introduced during the 2025 session that were not enacted remain active and eligible for consideration this year. As the General Assembly reconvenes, the SCFOP will continue to closely monitor legislative activity and provide timely updates to ensure our members remain informed and prepared to engage as needed.
THIS WEEK’S ACTION
S 52 – Driving under the influence – Special order set for January 15, 2026. Roll call Ayes-40 Nays-1.
https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/52.htmS 136 – Dismissal of pending gun possession charges – Veto overridden by House (Yeas-112 Nays-0) on January 14, 2026.
https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/136.htmS 699 – Emergency Scene Management – Introduced and referred to Committee on Transportation.
https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/699.htmS 716 – Bonds – Introduced and referred to Committee on Judiciary.
https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/716.htmS 719 – Rights of detained persons – Introduced and referred to Committee on Judiciary.
https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/719.htmS 739 – Incitement to Riot – Introduced and referred to Committee on Judiciary.
https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/739.htmS 745 – Help Find Missing Americans Act – Introduced and referred to Committee on Judiciary.
https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/745.htmS 775 – Injuring police dogs or horses – Introduced and referred to Committee on Judiciary.
https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/775.htmH 3124 – Fentanyl – Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Taylor.
https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/3124.htmH 3261 – Workers compensation for first responders – Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Taylor.
https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/3261.htmH 3535 – Helping Alleviate Lawful Obstruction (HALO) Act – Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Taylor.
https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/3535.htmH 3602 – Jaden’s Law – Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Sanders.
https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/3602.htmH 4294 – Gross income – Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Taylor.
https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/4294.htmH 4577 – Master-in-Equity Retirement – Introduced and referred to Committee on Ways and Means.
https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/4577.htmH 4593 – State Employee Retirement – Introduced and referred to Committee on Ways and Means.
https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/4593.htmH 4612 – Police Officers Retirement System – Introduced and referred to Committee on Ways and Means.
https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/4612.htmH 4620 – Retirement Allowance Adjustment – Introduced and referred to Committee on Ways and Means.
https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/4620.htmH 4678 – Law enforcement recruitment – Introduced and referred to Committee on Judiciary.
https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/4678.htmH 4682 – Law enforcement certification – Introduced and referred to Committee on Judiciary.
https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/4682.htmH 4740 – School Mapping Data Program – Introduced and referred to Committee on Education and Public Works.
https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/4740.htmH 4763 – Helping Alleviate Lawful Obstruction (HALO) Act – Introduced and referred to Committee on Judiciary.
https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/4763.htmH 4764 – Immigration – Introduced and referred to Committee on Judiciary.
https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/4764.htmH 4778 – Electronic recordings of interviews and interrogations – Introduced and referred to Committee on Judiciary.
https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/4778.htmH 4806 – Bond Reform – Introduced and referred to Committee on Judiciary.
https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/4806.htmH 4927 – Persistent Domestic Violence Offender Registry – Introduced and referred to Committee on Judiciary. Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Edgerton.
https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/4927.htmPRIORITIES
Our top legislative initiatives are aimed at strengthening law enforcement and public safety in South Carolina. Find out why these issues are critical in our Legislative Priorities section.
RETURN TO WORK LEGISLATION
H.3437 Reps. Pope et. al. Return to Work (Critical Need) for Law Enforcement House Ways and Means H.3542 Rep. Williams Lifting the cap if retires before January 2, 2026 House Ways and Means S.107 Senator Rice Retirement Earnings Limitation – Raises cap to about $22,320. Senate Finance S.118 Senator Adams Constables Not Subject to Earnings Limitation Senate Finance S.119 Senator Adams Lifts the 10,000 Earnings Limitation with 90 Days separation Senate Finance H.4593 Rep. Henderson-Myers Return to Work Retirees do not pay system contributions House Ways and Means H.4612 Reps. Oremus and C. Mitchell Earnings limitations do not apply to SROs House Ways and Means RETIREE PENSION COLA INCREASES & TAX BREAKS
S.64 Senator Hembree Retirement Income Tax Deduction for First Responders Senate Finance H.3410 Rep. Hardee Property (Vehicle) Tax Exemption for Former First Responders House Ways and Means H.3416 Rep. Kilmartin Retirement income Tax Deduction for First Responders House Ways and Means H.4175 Reps. Caskey et. al. Exclude Wages Earned by Law Enforcement from Calculation of SC Income and Prohibit the Withholding of Taxes on Such Wages. House Ways and Means H.4294 Reps. Schuessler, Lawson, Pedalino, Brewer, Wooten, Oremus, McGinnis and Taylor Gross income does not include certain retirement benefits House Ways and Means H.4620 Reps. Wooten, Gilliam, Pope, C. Mitchell and Clyburn Retirement Allowance Adjustment House Ways and Means PROTECTING LAW ENFORCEMENT K9s
H.3034 Reps. Collins and Wooten Enhanced penalties for injuring police animals Judiciary S.427 Sen. Adams Enhanced penalties for injuring police animals On the Senate Calendar HALO PROTECTION
H.3535 Reps. Wooten et. al. Creates 25 foot buffer for law enforcement Committee on Judiciary S.175 Senator Zell Creates 25 foot buffer for law enforcement Committee on Judiciary H.4763 Reps Oremus, et. al. Creates 25 foot buffer for law enforcement Committee on Judiciary NON-FATAL STRANGULATION LAW
H.3522 Reps. Caskey et. al. Defines Strangulation Committee on Judiciary S.455 Senator Adams Defines Strangulation (Companion Bill to H.3522) On the Senate Calendar POLICE WEEK RECOGNITION
Bill # Sponsor(s) Description Status S.542 Senator Davis Senate Resolution To
Recognize May 11 Through
May 17, 2025, As “Police Week
In South Carolina”Adopted H.4314 Reps. Yow et. al. House Resolution To
Recognize May 11 Through
May 17, 2025, As “Police Week
In South Carolina”Adopted LEGISLATION WE SUPPORT
Bills that align with our mission and directly benefit law enforcement officers and their families.
Bill # Sponsor(s) Description Status H.3003 Reps. Collins and Beach Officer Matthew Logan Hare Memorial Avenue Adopted by the Senate and Returned to House with Concurrence H.3052 Reps. Pope and Wooten Enhanced Penalties for Assault on Law Enforcement Officer House Committee on Judiciary H.3053 Reps. Pope et. al. Violent Crimes, Discharging Firearms into Dwellings House Committee on Judiciary H.3055 Reps Wooten et. al Harassment and Stalking House Committee on Judiciary H.3093 Rep. Moss Enhanced Penalties for Assaulting a First Responder or Healthcare Worker House Committee on Judiciary H.3124 Reps. Pope et. al. Exposing First Responders to Fentanyl Committee on Judiciary H.3127 Rep. Robbins, Wooten and Lawson Failure to Stop Act No. 38 H.3159 Rep. Yow Allows Retired Officer to Carry a Concealed Weapon House Committee on Judiciary H.3176 Rep. Davis Enhanced Penalties for Failure to Stop House Committee on Judiciary H.3258 Reps. Pope et. al. Requires Department of Education to Install Mobile Panic Alert Systems in All Public Schools Referred to Senate Committee on Education H.3259 Reps. Pope and Gilliam First Responder Automobile Insurance Premiums On The Senate Calendar H.3261 Reps. Pope and Gilliam Workers’ Comp to Include Coverage for PTSD for First Responders Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry H.3276 Reps. Pope et. al. South Carolina Hands Free Act Act No. 40 H.3281 Reps. McCravy et. al. Fallen First Responders Advocate Position House Committee on Judiciary H.3392 Rep. Moss Enhanced Penalties for Assaulting a Healthcare Worker or Emergency Response Employee House Committee on Judiciary H.3295 Rep. Hardy Release of Vehicle Location Information to Law Enforcement Agency in Emergency Situations. House Committee on Judiciary H.3315 Rep. Collins Authorize Correctional Officers to Serve Warrants without Magistrate Endorsing the Warrant. House Committee on Judiciary H.3363 Rep. B. Newton, et.al. Catawba Nation to Become An Employer Under PEBA. Referred To Ways and Means H.3460 Rep. Wooten Disclosure of Electronic Communication to Law Enforcement, Solicitors and Attorney General Recommitted to Subcommittee
Similar Bill S.74 is Being Debated.H.3461 Rep Lawson Excludes First Responder Wages from SC Gross Income Referred To Ways and Means H.3650 Reps. G.M. Smith et. al. Discharging Firearms into Dwellings and other Structures On Senate Calendar H.3907 Reps. B.J. Cox et. al. Provides additional benefits for families of first responders killed in the line of duty Referred to Committee on Ways and Means H.4336 Reps. Hartnett et. al. Relating To Assault And Battery Offenses, So As To Provide That Assault And Battery Of A High And Aggravated Nature Occurs When A Person Injures A Federal, State, Or Local Law Enforcement Officer Or Corrections Officer; A Healthcare Professional, Healthcare Worker, Or An Emergency Response Employee; Or An Educational Professional During Or Because Of The Person’s Official Duties. House Committee on Judiciary H.4678 Reps. Martin, Pope, M.M. Smith, Wooten and C. Mitchell Law enforcement recruitment House Committee on Judiciary H.4682 Reps. Pope, Gilliam, Wooten and C. Mitchell Law enforcement certification House Committee on Judiciary H.4740 Reps. McGinnis, Garvin, Grant, Yow and C. Mitchell School Mapping Data Program House Committee on Education and Public Works H.4927 Reps. Oremus and Edgerton Persistent Domestic Violence Offender Registry Committee on Judiciary S.71 Senator Hembree Enhanced Penalties for Assault and Battery Against a Law Enforcement Officer Referred to Judiciary S.74 Senator Hembree Disclosure of Electronic Communications and Other Records Act No. 59 S.111 Senator Rice Enhanced Penalties for Vehicle Pursuit On Senate Calendar S.127 Senator Johnson Adds Catawba Nation to PORS Act No. 60 S.156 Senators Alexander et. al. Fentanyl Induced Homicide Act No. 61 S.447 Senator Adams Automated License Plate Reader System Committee on Judiciary S.699 Senator Goldfinch Emergency Scene Management Committee on Transportation S.739 Senator Kennedy Incitement to Riot Senate Committee on Judiciary S.745 Senator Ott Help Find Missing Americans Act Senate Committee on Judiciary S.775 Senator Elliott Injuring police dogs or horses Senate Committee on Judiciary LEGISLATION WE ARE MONITORING
Legislative proposals we are tracking to assess their potential impact on law enforcement and public safety.
Bill # Sponsor(s) Description Status H.3016 Rep. Rutherford Interrogation of Child Referred to Judiciary H.3068 Rep. Rutherford Revised forfeiture procedures Referred to Judiciary H.3126 Rep. Pope Creation of the South Carolina Department of Law Enforcement and Public Safety Referred to Judiciary H.3131 Rep. Rutherford Disallows Law Enforcement from Purchasing Cell Site Simulator Referred to Judiciary H.3133 Rep. Rutherford Disallows Law Enforcement from Stopping Vehicles that don’t have License Plate Illumination Referred to Education and Public Works H.3134 Rep. Rutherford Disallows Law Enforcement from Purchasing Cell Site Simulator Referred to Judiciary H.3139 Rep. Rutherford Certification of Law Enforcement Officers Referred to Judiciary H.3155 Rep. Rutherford Automatic License Plate Readers Referred to Judiciary H.3170 Rep. Beach Unlawful to Drive Vehicles with Drivers’ Licenses Not Recognized. Referred to Education and Public Works H.3283 Rep. Long CWP on College Campuses Referred to Judiciary H.3285 Rep. Landing Education of Law Enforcement Officers or EMS to Include Training Course in Autism Referred to Senate Judiciary H.3288 Rep. J.L. Johnson Allows Persons who are Subjects of Body Camera Video Data to Receive Footage by Simple Request. Referred to Judiciary H.3289 Rep. J.L. Johnson Include 911 Operators as “First Responders” Referred to Ways and Means H.3378 Rep. Burns et al. Exempt All Property from Taxation and Provide Dollar-for-Dollar Reimbursement to Political Subdivisions Referred To Ways and Means H.3421 Rep. Long Retirement Investment Commission Cannot Invest Funds with China Referred To Ways and Means H.3794 Reps. Mitchell and Pope Allow Public Defender Investigators to Carry Concealable Weapons Referred To Judiciary H.3799 Reps. Wooten et. al. Law Enforcement Officer Certificates of Compliance Referred To Judiciary H.3806 Reps. Hart and Henderson-Meyers Driving While Using Wireless Communication Devices Referred To Judiciary H.3855 Reps. Huff et. al. Sales Tax Exemption for Small Arms and Small Arms Ammunition Referred To Ways and Means H.3868 Reps. J. Moore et. al. Sale, Exchange or Transfer of Firearms Require National Instant Criminal Background Checks Referred To Judiciary H.4005 Reps. Henderson-Meyers et. al. Driving Under the Influence Referred To Judiciary H.4011 Rep. Erickson Department of Motor Vehicles – “Temporary Driving Certificate” Passed House – Sent to Senate -Referred to Committee on Transportation H.4013 Reps. J.E. Johnson et. al. Automated License Plate Readers Referred To Education and Public Works H.4092 Reps. Kilmartin et. al. Sales Tax Exemption During The Month Of July 2025 For Handguns, Rifles, Shotguns, And Ammunition Referred to Ways and Means H.4129 Reps. Brewer et. al. Gambling, Exceptions: A Person Who Pays A Fee To Play A Game In Which Skill Predominates Over Chance And Receives A Prize Proportionate To How Skillfully He Played Is Not Gambling. Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee H.4137 Reps. B.J. Cox et. al. American Heroes Bingo Referred to Senate Finance Committee H.4387 Yow, B. Newton and Mitchell Law Enforcement Officer Misconduct Referred to Committee on Judiciary H.4399 Holman, J.L. Johnson, B.L. Cox and Sanders First Responder Wellness Exams Referred to Committee on Judiciary H.4542 Rep. Bailey Horry County Police Commission House Committee on Horry Delegation H.4778 Reps. Pedalino, C. Mitchell and Chumley Electronic recordings of interviews and interrogations House Committee on Judiciary H.4806 Reps. Wooten and Pope Bond Reform House Committee on Judiciary S.8 Senator Jackson Training Council to Set Policies and Procedures for Vehicle Pursuits Referred to Judiciary Subcommittee S.90 Senator Young Hands Free Act Referred To Transportation S.126 Senator Johnson Relating to Definitions, so as to Include Additional Information in the Definition of “Personal Contact Information” and to Define “Disclosed Records” Act No. 4 S.136 Senator Tedder Dismissal of Pending Gun Possession Charges Veto overridden by Senate on 5/28/25 and by House on 1/14/26 S.142 Senator Devine Requires CJA to Develop Use of Force Model Policy, Qualified Immunity Referred To Judiciary S.145 Senator Devine Constitutional Carry/Second Amendment Preservation Act Repeal Referred To Judiciary S.149 Senator Devine Juvenile Justice Reform Act Referred To Judiciary S.168 Senator Campsen Concealed Weapon Permits Program Carried Over S.270 Senators Alexander et. al. Define Attempted Murder On Senate Calendar S.297 Senator Turner Employer And Employee Contribution Rates Under SCRS And PORS Referred To Finance S.300 Senator Tedder Background Checks Before Sale or Transfer of Firearms Referred To Judiciary S.338 Senators Climer and Kimbrell Second Amendment Privacy Act Referred to Judiciary S.346 Senator Alexander Enhanced Penalties for Assault on Firefighter and Health Professionals On Senate Calendar S.386 Senator Elliott Retired Law Enforcement Officers – Concealed Weapons Permit Referred to Judiciary S.398 Senators Stubbs and Zell Allow Individuals With Military Or Law Enforcement Experience To Be Eligible To Be Appointed As A Magistrate In Counties With Less Than Fifty Thousand People. Referred to Judiciary S.448 Senator Tedder et. al. Electronic Driver’s License System Referred to Transportation S.518 Senator Grooms “South Carolina Pray Safe Act” Referred to Judiciary S.520 Senator Davis “South Carolina Pray Safe Act” Referred to Judiciary S.521 Senator Garrett Allows Municipal Court Judges To
Participate In PORSReferred to Judiciary S.664 Senator Devine South Carolina Speed Safety Act Referred to Transportation S.716 Senators Garrett and Kennedy Bonds Senate Committee on Judiciary S.719 Senator Tedder Rights of detained persons Senate Committee on Judiciary REGULATIONS
Updates to the South Carolina Code of State Regulations
South Carolina Fraternal Order of Police
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About South Carolina FOP
The South Carolina Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge was formed in 1977. Since then, the FOP has supported and represented law enforcement officers across the state.